Australian leadership at the Security Council: Advancing the women, peace and security agenda

Australia will assume the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of September in 2013, for the first time since 1985. The Presidency carries with it great responsibility for managing the crisis management powers of the Security Council bestowed under the UN Charter. The September presidential term could see an escalation of current tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the open conflict in Syria or new developments in Iran, or new crises entirely. Further, the Presidency also offers the opportunity to frame an agenda which carries forward the thematic agendas of the Security Council, agenda which have, since 2000, included the Women, Peace and Security (WSP) agenda.